Murder trial for Brenton Crabtree begins Monday

Published: Saturday, May 4, 2013 at 6:45 p.m.

Last Modified: Saturday, May 4, 2013 at 6:45 p.m.

Jury selection will begin Monday in the murder trial of the man accused in the shooting death of an Ocala man in 2012.

A status conference was held Friday in Brenton Crabtree's case, during which it was revealed that he was offered a deal to serve a 50-year prison sentence with a 25-year minimum mandatory serve time, which he declined.

A handcuffed Crabtree, 19, dressed in a red and white Marion County Jail outfit and standing beside his attorney, Candace Hawthorne, shook his head to indicate a response of no in declining the offer.

Singh told authorities he and Brenton Crabtree approached the back door of Tripp's home and said Tripp turned around and Crabtree fired five to seven shots through a window. Tripp died of his wounds.

In March 2012, Keith Crabtree was charged with possession of ammunition by a convicted felon. Last month, Singh was sentenced to 21 years in prison for principal to murder in the second degree.

In addition to being charged in Tripp's murder, in October 2012 Brenton Crabtree pleaded guilty to firearm possession and carrying a concealed weapon and was sentenced to eight years in prison in an unrelated case. He has remained incarcerated in the county jail, however, pending trial.

The trial will take place in the courtroom of Circuit Judge Brian Lambert, beginning Wednesday.

Assistant State Attorney Robin Arnold said the state may take 1½ to 2 days to present their case. Assistant State Attorney Amy Berndt will serve as co-counsel.

Hawthorne said she expects to begin presenting her case either Thursday afternoon or sometime Friday, with Brenda Smith as co-counsel.

<p>Jury selection will begin Monday in the murder trial of the man accused in the shooting death of an Ocala man in 2012.</p><p>A status conference was held Friday in Brenton Crabtree's case, during which it was revealed that he was offered a deal to serve a 50-year prison sentence with a 25-year minimum mandatory serve time, which he declined.</p><p>A handcuffed Crabtree, 19, dressed in a red and white Marion County Jail outfit and standing beside his attorney, Candace Hawthorne, shook his head to indicate a response of no in declining the offer.</p><p>The state is not seeking the death penalty in his case.</p><p>Authorities believe that Brenton Crabtree; his brother, Keith Crabtree, 21; Kenard N. Singh, 21; and an unnamed man attempted to rob 55-year-old Douglas Tripp in March 2012.</p><p>Singh told authorities he and Brenton Crabtree approached the back door of Tripp's home and said Tripp turned around and Crabtree fired five to seven shots through a window. Tripp died of his wounds.</p><p>In March 2012, Keith Crabtree was charged with possession of ammunition by a convicted felon. Last month, Singh was sentenced to 21 years in prison for principal to murder in the second degree.</p><p>In addition to being charged in Tripp's murder, in October 2012 Brenton Crabtree pleaded guilty to firearm possession and carrying a concealed weapon and was sentenced to eight years in prison in an unrelated case. He has remained incarcerated in the county jail, however, pending trial.</p><p>The trial will take place in the courtroom of Circuit Judge Brian Lambert, beginning Wednesday.</p><p>Assistant State Attorney Robin Arnold said the state may take 1½ to 2 days to present their case. Assistant State Attorney Amy Berndt will serve as co-counsel.</p><p>Hawthorne said she expects to begin presenting her case either Thursday afternoon or sometime Friday, with Brenda Smith as co-counsel.</p><p><i>Contact Austin L. Miller at 867-4118 or austin.miller@starbanner.com.</i></p>